Pope prays in Armenian church, greets Karekin II

Pope Leo XIV has sent greetings to Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and the Armenian Apostolic community in Turkey during a Mass at the Armenian Patriarchal Church of the Holy Mother of God in Istanbul.

Expressing gratitude for what he called the Armenian people’s “brave Christian witness” across centuries, the Pope emphasized that their faith endured even through history’s darkest chapters, according to Sputnik Armenia.

He noted the deepening fraternal ties between the Armenian Apostolic and Catholic Churches, recalling the first joint declaration signed in May 1970 by Pope Paul VI and Catholicos Vazgen I.

The Pontiff also expressed hope that the international theological dialogue commission between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches would soon resume. He cited the 12th-century Catholicos Saint Nerses IV the Gracious, who devoted his life to reconciling Christian churches.

Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, Archbishop Sahak Mashalian, who led the Mass, said the Pope’s presence in the church was not only an honor but also a blessing for the Armenian community, Christian churches in Turkey, and all those working for Christian unity.

Leo XIV is the fourth pope to visit an Armenian church in Turkey and the fifth to meet with the Armenian Christian community. The church is located in Istanbul’s Gum Gapu neighborhood, part of the historic Fatih district. His patriarchal visit to Turkey took place from November 27 to 30. During the trip, the pope also met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople. A joint declaration was signed. Following the visit, the Pope traveled to Lebanon.